2750Papyrus

But she's red - I was under the impression that LNWR black was your favourite livery?

I wonder if the LNER's finances would have permitted the upgrading of the ECML? Gresley's thoughts on speeding expresses further appear to have been directed towards more powerful locomotives so that uphill speeds could be increased. These included A4s with 275 lbs boiler pressure and the proposed 4-8-2s. I believe that the LMS was looking at 4-6-4s also. I pity the poor firemen - mechanical stokers would seem to be desirable.

Glad to see that the LMS and LNER versions are listed as well.

For many years, we had newts in our garden pond. Then a couple of years ago, to our surprise, we found a grass snake on the rockery eating an adult male newt. Haven't seen many since!

And a Very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you too, and thanks for the wonderful pictures, comments etc during the last year.

Given my web name, it should come as no surprise that I also consider the A3s to be the most handsome UK Pacific loco, especially when teamed with a high-sided tender. Fitting double chimneys extended their performance and probably lives, but the comparative softness of the exhaust made the smoke obscuration problem worse. At least the German style deflectors ensured their continued unique appearance and, to my mind, looked somehow more modern than full length deflectors. After all, many racehorses perform best in blinkers!

But you can be 5 minutes quicker to Buckingham without HGVs in front of you!

What are the current rules regarding the use of VAR? I thought when it was originally introduced, it was only supposed to call the ref's attention to "clear and obvious errors" but now it seems to check every decision.

Is there no provision for an "operator of last resort"?

I still have my Trix operating tipping wagon, now probably 65 years old. An electromagnet between the rails actuated the tipping mechanism. I wonder if an electrically operated tension lock uncoupler could be used to operate a tipping linkage? We also owned the German outline 2-4-2 tank engine with remote controlled uncoupling at both ends. Another operating feature not yet available on any British RTR even with DCC.

Rugby song from many years ago sung to a tune similar to the Marseillaise. A Frenchman went to the lavatory, and he went there To have a sh*t. He took his pants and trousers off so that he could Revel in it. But when he reached out for the paper, He found that someone had been there before. "Ou est le papier? Ou est le papier? Toujours, Toujours, Dans le manure. Ou est le papier?"

There really are some good GW models becoming available such as the small prairies, B sets and steamotors. My layout is ECML and I am quite jealous - where are the Sentinels? Were I starting again, I might be tempted by a Gara Bridge/Loddiswell location. To boost the number of trains, not only would my imagination extend the line from Kingsbridge to Salcombe, as planned, but Loddiswell would become a junction with a line following the Avon through Aveton Gifford to Bantham or Bigbury. Burgh Island on the backscene, the sea tractor might be a challenge!

So pleased to see accurate steam-age vehicles becoming available, particularly LMS. I am slowly working my way through my kit backlog but these are all of LNER vehicles. My goods trains are not representative of "common user" make-ups and, whilst quality SR and GWR wagons are becoming available, their numbers would be small compared those of the LMS and LNER. May we hope for a van soon?

What a great video, I particularly liked the shots of the goods station. Also noted the mess of the "Indian village" in front of the passenger station, little traffic with pedestrians walking between moving vehicles, and room to park!

when the Christmas paper chains in the DO fell down and actuated the motion sensors on the alarm system....

I think they may be tempted to produce a locomotive to match some of the recent "history of coal" wagons eg cauldrons. Dumb-buffered, possibly?

Also "I despisies mises"!

My Dad had a 1937 Ford Y, registration number DLX189, which I think was towards the end of the production run. He paid £100 for it new and sold it for the same sum in 1953, when it was replaced with one of the last "sit up and beg" Anglias, YMV338.

Isn't the West Indies guard ship a RFA nowadays? Used to be a frigate.

Hi Mike, is that a Diagram 3D coach?

Didn't there used to be a Model Engineering Trade Association?

"And maybe the 'Big Four' men, Gresley (with duck!), Stanier, Bullied and Collette." Would the GW be better represented by Charlotte Churchward?

My Mum was an Akela for many years. Also known as Mrs Dyb-Dob (from the Grand Howl - "Do Your Best - we'll Do Our Best).